Skulduggery

Skulduggery froze as he saw her silhouette by the stagnant lake opposite the Sanctuary. She had her legs crossed like a child in class; he could only tell it was her in the dull light because her left hand was gripping the hair of poor Isla Jefferson. He looked back to the Sanctuary, wondering if he should call for back up before approaching. Turning to the lake again, he shuddered. Darquesse was in the exact same position, only closer.
He saw her shoulders slump as if she was sighing. Impatience was not one of Valkyrie’s strengths so he highly doubted Darquesse would be better at waiting. To test, he stared down at the floor, at his Italian leather shoes then snapped his head back up.
She had, as he suspected, moved closer. She was almost rounding the corner of the lake where the willows leaned over the water.
“Show – off,” he muttered. He snapped his palms and sent a light ripple of air towards her, watching it creep forwards as warily as he would. Her hair; much longer, he noticed, than before, splayed away from her face and he heard her giggle.
That sound would have filled him with confidence if the foul noise of a bone breaking hadn’t then swept across the street. Isla screamed loud and short before a hand must have clamped over her mouth.
“The longer you take,” she said mechanically, “The worse she’ll get.”
Skulduggery could barely hear her but he stepped forwards all the same, getting faster as he got closer. A fireball in his hand, he found himself looming over her while she picked up a stone and skipped it across the lake. It bounced nine times; he was a little impressed.
“I got bored with her,” Darquesse said, lifted up Isla’s limp hand for him to take, “And you’re here again so she’s of no use to me.”
Skulduggery hu...

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... it. Everything will be fine, everything will stop hurting. You won’t have to fight for your own thoughts, you won’t have to live with guilt. Feel how powerless you are; destroying the world is a heavy burden to carry on such weak shoulders, Miss Cain.”
“Don’t call me that,” she tried, “I’m so tired.”
Skulduggery nodded. “I know you are. Everything will be fine if you let it go.”
“Skulduggery, step away from her or we’ll be forced to arrest you too,” Erskine said.
“One minute!” he yelled, “Come on, Valkyrie, you’re stronger than she is.”
Darquesse’s face crumpled. “I’m the strong one. Please.”
It all happened in a second. A wave of air flared out, with Darquesse as the epicentre, sending the Cleavers and Erskine to the ground. Skulduggery remained untouched, his grip on her shoulders becoming painful as her eyes turned golden brown before she fell unconscious.